Nesting and interlocking chairs



Ap 8, 1967 E. 1.. CRANDALL NESTING AND INTERLOCKING CHAIRS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 2, 1965 INVENTOI Q EUGENE L.CRANDALL ATTORNEY April 18, 1967 E. L. CRANDALL 3,314,718

NESTING AND INTERLOCKING CHAIRS Filed Nov. 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I FIG 9 INVENTOR EUGENE LCRANDALL ATTORNEY United States Patent 3 314 718 NESTING AND n rra urocrcmc CHAIRS Eugene H... Crandall, Elkhart, ind, assignor to Creative Engineering, lino, Elkhart, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Nov. 2, 1965, Ser. No. 506,089

2 Claims. (Cl.

This invention relates to furniture construction and more particularly to improved chairs capable of being vertically stacked or nested, one on the other, and which can be horizontally locked together in orderly rows for group seating.

The advantages of light sturdy chairs that may be stacked or nested in vertical relation, one on another, and at the same time may be interlocked when disposed in horizontally arranged rows, are self evident. Where a large number of temporary chairs are desired, the concept of vertical stacking or nesting has been utilized for some time as a solution to the problem of storage space for such chairs when not in use.

With vertical stacking, however, a number of problems and disadvantages have arisen. One of the primary problems of such chairs has been that the added structure required to achieve the interlocking and nesting effect has not been entirely satisfactory as the chairs are decidedly unstable in high vertical stacks and therefore unsafe.

Another disadvantage incurred with such chairs is that undesirable contact often occurs between the stacked or interlocked chairs which results in undesirable ma-rring or scufiing of the seat portions in contact and the deforming thereof in time.

A further disadvantage of such chairs now known to the prior art lies in the use of rod or heavy-gage wire members to perform the nesting and interlocking functions. These rod members become weak with use and gradually bend out of shape causing difficulty in performing the stacking and locking operation. Moreover, the out-of-shape support members markedly detract from the appearance of the chair.

Another disadvantage of prior art chairs is that they can only be stacked'satisfactorily in a single vertical stack. This is in direct contrast to the chairs of the present invention which may be stacked in multiple stacked and ganged relationship.

A still further disadvantage of the interlocking type resides in the fact that the locking arrangement is not adequately secure, in other words, such prior known chairs when in side-by-side interlocked relationship are not rigidly held in place to the end that the noise of the loosely fitting interlocking member is disturbing in an assembly where quiet is desired. The slightest pressure on any of the chairs in the horizontal arrangement or row will cause the device, usually a folded rod, to pull away from the adjacent chair and thereby frustrate the desired function. This case in pulling apart by mere horizontal pressure will soon cause the rows of chairs to become completely disorganized.

The present invention provides telescopically nesting and horizontally interlocking chairs which overcome these and other disadvantages of such chair constructions now known to the prior art.

In accordince with this invention, .a light, stable, sturdy and attractive chair construction is presented which is capable of being efiiciently and easily nested or stacked in vertical relation when stored and horizontally interlocked in orderly rows when in use.

One of the primary advantages of the chair construction of the instant invention is that a simple and elfective bracing means is presented which affords sturdy and rigid interlocking or ganging of chairs when disposed in horizontal side-by-side relation.

3,314, 7 ll 8 Patented Apr. iii, i967 A further advantage and object of the chairs of the present invention resides in the simplicity of construction of the bracing or supporting means which provides the and r1g1d interlocking material to effectively carry out the intended functions.

These and other advantages and objects will become apparent from the disclosure and appended claims set forth hereinafter.

This invention, briefly, is concerned with a chair construction which comprises identical front and rear leg constructions, each having a pair of legs rigidly connected together at the top by a base member. The seat portion of the chair is attached to the base member, the front and rear leg members being rigidly connected by brace members which are so designed to include both the stacking and locking features of this invention; the brace member comprising a continuous band or strap of a rigid material disposed in a plane perpendicular to the leg pairs, said brace having an initial portion lying in the vertical plane formed by the pairs of front and rear legs, a second portion lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said vertical plane and forming a first angular intersection with a third portion lying in a plane parallel with and extending outwardly from said vertical plane, said angular intersection being adapted to receive the legs of the chair immediately below when in stacked relation; a fourth portion lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said vertical plane and forming a second angular intersection with a fifth portion lying in a plane parallel with and extending outwardly from said vertical plane, said second angular intersection having a slot therein adapted to receive the reverse slot member of a second chair brace when the chairs are in a side-by-side arrangement.

The present invention and foregoing objects and advantages will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent identical parts and wherein:

[FIGURE 1 is an oblique side elevational view of the chair construction of this invention;

FIGURE. 2 is a partial, side elevational view of the chair construction showing the supporting and interlocking features;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of two chairs disposed in a vertical stacked relation one upon the other;

IFIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a plurality of the chairs disposed in vertical stacked relation one upon the other;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary, side, elevational view of the supporting structure of this invention when two of the chairs are disposed in stacked relation illustrating the seating of the legs of the superimposed chair;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational View of the brace member of this invention illustrating the respective positions of the structure just prior to interlocking in side-by-side relationship;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the brace member of this invention in interlocked position when the chairs are disposed in the side-by-side arrangement;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the brace member of this invention illustrating another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary, ly in section of the supporting illustrating the plural stacking of this invention.

As generally set forth hereinabove, the instant invention provides telescopically nesting and horizontally interlocking chairs which embody features and constructop elevational view partand bracing and structure and gauging of the chairs tion not found in prior chairs of this type. The chair construction of the instant invention provides a novel supporting means which enables the user to achieve a stable and secure stack when the chairs are in vertical relation and a simple, sturdy, secure lock rigidly holding the chairs in a fixed relationship when interlocked side by side in a horizontal manner.

The foregoing advantages and construction of the chairs of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIGURES 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 indicates one of the chairs of this invention including the seat or shell 2 and the support structure 3.

The shell 2 is preferably constructed of a reinforced synthetic fiber resin although other materials, such as metal, may be used. The shell 2 is secured to the sup port structure 2 by conventional means (not shown) such as set screws and the like.

The supporting structure includes a base 3 and two pairs of leg members 4 and 5 and 6 and 7, disposed in conventional relationship to the contoured seat or shell 2. Secured on leg pairs 4 and 5 and 6 and '7 are bracing means 8 and 9.

Throughout the description of the bracing means 8 and 9, the words inwardly and outwardly are used. The term inwardly shall be taken to mean toward the area circumscribed by the four legs while outwardly means away from the same section. Also horizontal and vertical are used as meaning horizontal or vertical to the floor or surface on which the chair rests.

Leg members or pairs 4- and 5 and 6 and 7 are disposed in angular relation so that the bottom ends or feet portions shown as 1d are spaced further apart than the top ends secured to support structure 3. This angular relation imparts stability to the chair construction. Front leg members 5 and 6 and rear leg members 4 and 7 are disposed in a vertical plane and when nested or stacked, the leg members of the chair which is superimposed on another rests in the same vertical plane as the leg members of the bottom chair.

Leg members 4, and 5 and 6 and 7 are held in fixed relation by means of bracing members 8 and 9, respectively. These bracing members are attached to the corresponding leg members at a point approximately onethird the length of the leg member as measured from the top or point of attachment to the seat supporting structure 3. Bracing members 8 and 9 are attached to the corresponding leg members by welding or other conventional means known to those skilled in the art. The securing points for braces 8 and 9 are identified by reference numerals Ill and I2. The bracing members 8 and 9 are preferably fabricated of chrome plated steel but may be made of any like material capable of performing the assigned function and conforming to the overall pleasing appearance of the chair.

Bracing member 8, for example, attached to legs 4 and 5, consists of a rigid continuous band 10 having four distinct portions on either side thereof connected by a common fifth portion, the first separate portions being formed by turns in the band portions I3 and 13, as best seen in FIGURE 6, lie in the vertical plane formed by the pairs of front and rear legs. Second portions 14 and 14' lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the vertical plane of the adjacent first portions. Third portions 15 and 15, adjacent the second portions, lie in a plane parallel with and extending outwardly from the vertical plane and form angular intersections 16 and 16 which have approximately the same radius of curvature as the leg members and are adapted to engage or receive the leg members of a second chair therein when nested or stacked as shown in FIGURE 7. On one side, for example, angular intersection 16 is adapted to receive a front leg member 5 and angular intersection 16' fits over 4 rear leg member 4 of the chair on the bottom, or directly underneath when in nesting relationship. This position of the legs is amply illustrated in FIGURE 5.

Bracing member 8 further contains fourth portions 17 and 17' adjacent third portions 15 and 15 and lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the vertical plane and forms second angular intersections 18 and 18' with a common fifth portion 30 which lies in a plane parallel with and extending outwardly from the vertical plane.

In second angular intersections 18 and 18, slots, in dicated as 19 and 19, are placed, as by cutting, in the top portion of the continuous band. Slots 19 and 19 are substantially rectangular and extend approximately onehalf the distance of the width of band 10 as seen in FIG- UR-E 6-. These slots enable the chairs to be horizontally interlocked in sturdy relation as will be apparent hereinafter.

The continuous band or bracing member 9, disposed on the opposite pair of legs 6 and 7, is identical to bracing member 8 except for the disposition of the slots. In brace 9, the slots 20 and 20 are positioned on the underside of the continuous band rather than in the top portion of the band as in brace member 8. In all other respects the bracing members are identical.

The inverse positioning of the slots forms the basis of the unique method of interlocking the chairs of the instant invention in side-by-side arrangement, as shown partially in FIGURES 6, 7 and 9. As seen in these figures, the brace 8 on the left side of the chair with upward slots 19 and 19', slides easily into an opposite brace 9 located on the right side of a second chair, the second brace having downward slots '20 and 20. The slot portions interlock as shown in FIGURE 7 and form a sturdy and unyielding horizontal locking arrangement in perfect alignment.

Each of the cutaway portions or slots 19 and 19 in brace 8 and 20- and 20' in brace 9 extend over the en tire width of the slotted opposite brace such that when interlocked, the respective braces are in perfect alignment. Hence, the interlocking bands appear as one. As one of the respective braces must be lifted and fitted down over its complement on the adjacent chair to secure the lock, it follows that the reverse procedure is necessary to pull the horizontally arranged chairs apart. Thus, one of the primary advantages of the chairs becomes apparent. When the chairs are set up in orderly rows, mere horizontal pressure will not cause the braces to pull apart as a specific and definite lifting motion is required to disconnect. Hence, once the chairs are set up in rows, they will remain in that position.

Thus it is seen that the bracing members of the instant chair construction perform two important functions by virtue of their unique construction. First of all, they support a superimposed chair by adapting to the corresponding leg member which fits into the angular intersection formed by the second and third portions on each end of the bracing member. This is clearly brought out in FIGURES 3 and 4 where front and side views of a plurality of the chairs in stacked relation is illustrated. In these figures, the near perfect alignment of the legs when stacked is clearly shown. In FIGURE 5, a view of the vertical stacking arrangement in partial elevation is illustrated showing the position of the chair legs when inserted into the first angular intersections of the bracing member.

Secondly, the bracing means of the invention permit a definite and sturdy interlocking of two or more such chairs in side-by-side arrangement by virtue of the unique positioning of slots 19, I9, 20 and 20" in the respective braces 8 and 9. The fitting of the slotted member into its complement on the adjacent chair is indicated in FIGURES 7 and 9. Moreover, the unique braces permit simultaneous interlocking and stacking so that multiple stacks of the chairs may be integrally locked for greater stability.

A further embodiment of the illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9 wherein the bracing members of the invention are shown in a partial view performing both unique functions simultaneously while preventing scratching and marring of the chair legs. This latter benefit, as illustrated in FIGURE 8, is achieved by attaching small pieces of padding 21 and 21, such as sponge rubber or like material, within each of angular intersections 16 and 16 formed in the brace members. The attachment of the sponge padding may be by glue or other conventional securing means. The padded angular intersection then fits over the chair leg directly below, as shown in FIGURE 9 in phantom, thereby preventing metal on metal contact between the legs.

In this respect, it is imperative that the point of attachment of the braces to the legs be such that, when in stacked relation, contact between the stacked or nested chairs is possible only at the padded intersections of the upper chair and the leg members of the bottom chair. This is easily adjudged prior to construction and usually calculates to be about one-third of the distance of the chair leg length as measured from the top. The positioning will, of course, depend on the angular displacement of the leg members and base member, but once determined, will not vary during production.

Using the chair construction with novel bracing means of the present invention, light, sturdy chairs may be stacked or nested in such relation as to form stable vertical stacks which require minimum space for storage and which may be easily interlocked in side-by-side relationship when a plurality of such chairs is in use. These unique functions may also be combined when the chairs are stored as illustrated in phantom in FIGURE 9. The slots which provide the interlocking effect are sufiiciently extended outwardly from the stacking angular intersections so as to permit simultaneous stacking and interlocking thus permitting interlocking of a plurality of the vertical stacks thereby greatly adding to the stability thereof.

It will be recognized, of course, that many variations are possible utilizing the novel features of the chair construction of this invention and those familiar with the art may envisage modifications of the novel construction. The inventive concept contemplates such modifications and variations and is to be considered to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A chair construction which comprises a seat, a base member attached to the seat, identical front and rear leg constructions comprising a pair of legs rigidly connected at the top by said base member, the front and rear leg members being rigidly secured at a point intermediate their length by bracing means enabling the intepresent invention is gral stacking of a plurality of said chairs and side-byside interlocking of a plurality of said chairs, said bracing means comprising a continuous band of a rigid material bent to form five planar portions all of which lie in sub stantially vertical planes, said brace having an initial portion lying in a vertical plane formed by the pairs of front and rear legs, a second portion lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said first mentioned vertical plane and forming a first angular intersection with a third portion lying in a plane parallel with and spaced outwardly from said first mentioned vertical plane, said angular intersection being adapted to receive the legs of the chair immediately below when in stacked relation; a fourth portion lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said first mentioned vertical plane and forming a second angular intersection with a fifth portion lying in a plane parallel with and spaced outwardly from said first mentioned vertical plane, said second angular intersection having a slot therein adapted to receive the re verse slotted brace of a second chair when in side-byside arrangement.

2. A brace member for stacking chairs comprising a continuous band of a rigid material bent to form five planar portions all of which lie in substantially vertical planes, said brace member having an initial portion lying in a vertical plane formed by the pairs of front and rear legs and connected thereto, a second portion lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said first mentioned vertical plane and forming a first angular intersection with a third portion lying in a plane parallel with and spaced outwardly from said first mentioned vertical plane, said angular intersection being adapted to receive the legs of the chair immediately below when in stacked relation; a fourth portion lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said first mentioned vertical plane and forming a second angular intersection with a fifth portion lying in a plane parallel with and spaced outwardly from said first mentioned vertical plane, said second angular intersection having a slot therein adapted to receive the reverse slotted brace of a second chair when in side-by-side arrangement.

and interlocking References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 862,789 3/1961 Great Britain.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Examiner. 

1. A CHAIR CONSTRUCTION WHICH COMPRISES A SEAT, A BASE MEMBER ATTACHED TO THE SEAT, IDENTICAL FRONT AND REAR LEG CONSTRUCTIONS COMPRISING A PAIR OF LEGS RIGIDLY CONNECTED AT THE TOP BY SAID BASE MEMBER, THE FRONT AND REAR LEG MEMBERS BEING RIGIDLY SECURED AT A POINT INTERMEDIATE THEIR LENGTH BY BRACING MEANS ENABLING THE INTEGRAL STACKING OF A PLURALITY OF SAID CHAIRS AND SIDE-BYSIDE INTERLOCKING OF A PLURALITY OF SAID CHAIRS, SAID BRACING MEANS COMPRISING A CONTINUOUS BAND OF A RIGID MATERIAL BENT TO FORM FIVE PLANAR PORTIONS ALL OF WHICH LIE IN SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL PLANES, SAID BRACE HAVING AN INITIAL PORTION LYING IN A VERTICAL PLANE FORMED BY THE PAIRS OF FRONT AND REAR LEGS, A SECOND PORTION LYING IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID FIRST MENTIONED VERTICAL PLANE AND FORMING A FIRST ANGULAR INTERSECTION WITH A THIRD PORTION LYING IN A PLANE PARALLEL WITH AND SPACED OUTWARDLY FROM SAID FIRST MENTIONED VERTICAL PLANE, SAID ANGULAR INTERSECTION BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE LEGS OF THE CHAIR IMMEDIATELY BELOW WHEN IN STACKED RELATION; A FOURTH PORTION LYING IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID FIRST MENTIONED VERTICAL PLANE AND FORMING A SECOND ANGULAR INTERSECTION WITH A FIFTH PORTION LYING IN A PLANE PARALLEL WITH AND SPACED OUTWARDLY FROM SAID FIRST MENTIONED VERTICAL PLANE, SAID SECOND ANGULAR INTERSECTION HAVING A SLOT THEREIN ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE REVERSE SLOTTED BRACE OF A SECOND CHAIR WHEN IN SIDE-BYSIDE ARRANGEMENT. 